Ahh it becomes more clear. The vessel USNS Rappahannock is a support vessel. Maybe some can clarify for me but as far as I am aware these vessel are
not necessarily manned by full time professional navy staff.

Still doesn't change the fact that this was an illegal act. May explain how it occured, nervous and inexperienced staff and result a bit of a
tragedy.

Originally posted by murch
Ahh it becomes more clear. The vessel USNS Rappahannock is a support vessel. Maybe some can clarify for me but as far as I am aware these vessel are
not necessarily manned by full time professional navy staff.

Still doesn't change the fact that this was an illegal act. May explain how it occured, nervous and inexperienced staff and result a bit of a
tragedy.

Also demonstrates how things can quickly get out of control.

What tragedy? All that boat had to do was to either cut it's engines or turn away. The Rappahannock might have at the most a .50 cal machine gun.

I thought the worst when I posted this, I now think its just a bit sad. Have visions of 4 fishermen thinking they could make a bit of cash selling
fresh fish to the big boat.

I was thinking something similar, and it would be sad if that was the case. But, I have friends from Bahrain, and in Bahrain they get something akin
to $70k annual salary from the government for just being citizens, they get free education, and free healthcare. The boat they were driving is
probably at least $150k or more to purchase.

Originally posted by murch
If a guy walks down the street looking a bit dodgy he could be perceived to be a threat. You wouldn't get away with shooting him though.

This is supposedly the best equipped military in the world. What threat could it possibly have posed that it warranted shooting before it was
correctly ID'ed.

The point is that actions like these are clearly against the Geneva convention. Targeting and shooting at unidentified targets is a terrible act of
violence.

As for the usual rhetoric spouted about how Iran poses no threat. If the US enters into a damaging war against another sovereign country that will
inevitably show the shortcomings of there military prowess and foreign policy decisions, then that's their problem.

What I don't like is that everyone else will inevitably be drawn into the conflict.

Yes I know the US is not the only one. That's also a bit sad. All the nations that adopted this (including my own) have adopted a policy that means
whenever they are travelling in foreign waters they are effectively going to shoot any approaching craft that does not understand the warning
message's given.

That means any craft that requires assistance and can't communicate risk getting shot at. Any indigenous population that recognize a symbol of wealth
and try to capitalise on it risks getting shot.

Its fine for us to say they should know better (I did earlier on in this thread) but on retrospect they will not have the same background info we do.
Imagine seeing this object of fascination and going for a closer look at this mighty vessel, thinking they will never see you as a threat, and waving
at the crew on-board.

Started this thread in outrage, looking for a reason to decry modern politics and governments. I will end my contribution in a note of sadness,
thinking how did we get here.

USNS Rappahannock Fires After Vessel Ignores Warnings By U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Public Affairs U.S. FIFTH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS – An
embarked security team aboard a U.S. Navy vessel fired upon a small motor vessel after it disregarded warnings and rapidly approached the U.S. ship
near Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates today.

In accordance with Navy force protection procedures, the sailors on the USNS Rappahannock (T-AO 204) used a series of non-lethal, preplanned responses
to warn the vessel before resorting to lethal force. The U.S. crew repeatedly attempted to warn the vessel’s operators to turn away from their
deliberate approach. When those efforts failed to deter the approaching vessel, the security team on the Rappahannock fired rounds from a .50-caliber
machine gun.

While I agree that it is sad, when you try to look at the human aspect of it, you will only become more depressed. The state of humanity is in a
sharp decline. It is not only our governments but society in general.

Originally posted by nostromo85
I don't get why the OP is so adamant to make the ships crew like war criminals or something. This is in essence a Suicide by Cop incident, just on
water and with boats.

For all you know, the boat was loaded with explosives or someone had an RPG. You just don't drive a powerboat towards a navy vessel, and come within
200ft of it just to be friendly.

edit on 16-7-2012 by nostromo85 because: (no reason given)

Yes...for all you know they could have been seeking help. Report says small motor boat and not a "power boat", and no, I don't stand as far as
possible from someone when being friendly.

It wasn't a "small motor boat," that initial report was wrong, either accidentally or intentionally. It was a 30 foot boat with 3 outboard
motors. That is a hell of a fishing boat, costing between $150,000 to $200,000 here in Florida, or possibly even more depending on how it was
outfitted. The boat that attacked the USS Cole and did major damage was basically driftwood compared to the boat used today!

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